Judge Warns Prosecutors Over Late Evidence in Shs60b Finance Fraud Case

The Anti-Corruption Court has issued a stern warning to prosecution teams handling high-profile financial crimes. Justice David Makumbi stated that he will not hesitate to bar additional evidence from trials if state attorneys continue making late disclosures without providing a reasonable explanation.

Justice Makumbi expressed deep frustration over what he termed endless disclosures by the prosecution. The judge questioned why investigators are still gathering and submitting fresh evidence even after the accused individuals have already been formally committed to the High Court for their trial.

The warning stems from ongoing legal proceedings involving nine Ministry of Finance officials facing trial over a massive Shs60 billion fraud case. During previous court sessions, the accused officials denied all charges read against them. Their defense lawyers maintained that the prosecution must strictly prove every allegation rather than relying on delayed piecemeal submissions.

Legal experts note that the case highlights persistent challenges within Uganda’s criminal justice system, particularly concerning investigation timelines and trial readiness. Justice Makumbi emphasized that the prosecution cannot be allowed to continually shift the goalposts at the direct expense of the accused persons’ constitutional right to a fair and speedy trial.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) maintains that available evidence sufficiently implicates the suspects in the cyber fraud and resource mismanagement scandal. However, the court remains firm that trial protocols must be respected to ensure justice is delivered efficiently.

Read more about this development on the Daily Monitor.